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SPORTING.

CRICKET. The first match of the season was played on the ground in the Domain on Saturday afternoon, between the County and Borough clubs. The weather was everything that could be desired, and the ground has improved beyond the anticipations of the committee. There is a heavy growth of grass and clover on it, and a

sufficient space had been mowed the previous day to give room for the players. The batters, however, had no chance of making scores, for when the ball got into the long grass its career was incontinently checked, and hits which ought to have gone for 4 were, from this cause only, so quickly fielded that only 2 could be run. It is intended to mow all the ground this week, so that there will be a better prospect of leather hunting next match. The scores were very small, and the bowling far above the average. The County went in first—Hodder and Buchanan batting to the bowling of G. and A. Andrews. These two young bats showed very nice form, and we shall watch their future performances with much interest. Hodder is a trifle cramped, but plays very effectively to the off’, and he has a determined defence. Buchanan has an immense reach, of which he makes hardly sufficient use ; but taken all round, he is certainly the most promising young player in the county. These two players knocked up 30 between them, and things looked like a big score being made for the County, but as soon as they were separated the wickets went down quickly, the total reaching 52 only. Tarawhiti gave evidence of considerable ability, and as a fielder has a good style of returning the ball, and we regret to learn that his services are only temporarily available. Wright and Lusk, for the borough, played correctly for the few runs they made. The bowling on both sides was very effective, andG. Andrews, Westenra, Field, S. Saunders and Shury are all entitled to mention, the first four are too well known to require comment, but Shury is a new aspirant of some promise. His delivery is not graceful, but on Saturday he was very effective, and we hope that he will perseveringly practice in this department of the game. T 1 e fielding of the County team was really excellent, Fooks as long stop was prominent in a field where all were good. Notwithstanding a nasty blow on the face which he received early in the game, his performance was almost perfect. Grant kept wicket well, until relieved by Buchanan, and the new comer appeared quite at home in the new position. E. Saunders and Hodder made very well judged catches, one by the latter, after a long run was a remarkably good performance. The Borough players as a whole were not equal to their opponents in the field, but George Andrews is always good, and his bonding on Saturday was very destructive. He was ably assisted by Amos, A. Andrews, and Wright. The Borough wicket-keeping and long-stopping, too, wore in good hands, and Ashvvood showed how useful a man ho can be in the field. It had been arranged to draw the stumps at 0 o’clock, but at that hour only three wickets had to go in, and the match was played out. A considerable number of visitors took advantage of the glorious weather to look on, and as the ground is so convenient to town we expect to see more interest taken in the game than heretofore. The following is the full score ;